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You can get statutory maternity pay (SMP), where you will initially be paid 90% of your average earnings, if you worked for your employer prior to becoming pregnant and are still employed 15 weeks’ before the baby’s due date.

After six weeks, the pay may drop to whichever is lower - 90% of your average earnings, or £140.98 a week - for another 33 weeks.

It usually starts when you take your maternity leave, and you have to give your employer the correct notice - but how long you have worked for them does not matter.

Maternity allowance

People who cannot get statutory maternity leave may be entitled to maternity allowance instead.

Self-employed and employed women can be eligible for this, based on your work record in the 66 weeks before the baby is due.

But self-employed workers have to pay Class 2 National Insurance or be eligible for it.